Kitchen Counter tops REVEAL!

FINALLY, the time has come that I can share with you my counter top install!  Without further mumbo jumbo, here's a pic:

Other than my desk area, which I showed you in my sneak peek here, we only have two sides that meet at a 90 degree angle.  But don't let that fool you, there were many tricky parts here!  For instance the side shown in the picture below obviously had to have the exact cut out where the stove goes.  We took our counter tops off and to a local business for them to cut exactly.  Apparently the did not measure twice and cut once.  This side was wrong the first time they cut it for us (as was the desk area!).  Since it was their mistake they were more than courteous to get the new one cut quickly (like an hour later) and very easy to work with.  Problem was we had tried to install over a weekend and they were not reopen until Monday.  Hubs works and has school so we couldn't reinstall until the following weekend.  :( 

 Even with all of that drama, check out these beauties on a close up!  (Like my recipe holder?  You can read about it here.)

Here is another angle, just because I am really pleased with them :)

 And now for the other side.  It was cut perfect the first time!  Yay!  Problem with this side?  We *wanted* to put in a new sink.  And that meant DIY install.  So I purchased a granite sink in black with much deeper bowls.  My hubby and step dad followed directions exactly on how to 'push out' or 'tap out' the area at the top of the sink to place the vent for the dishwasher.  To no avail.  It cracked, not on just one sink, but two!  So with all that work we decided to just go ahead and install that side with the sink we had.  We were pretty skeptical that it would stand out like a sore thumb, but as you can see below, it wasn't very bad after all!

The local business convinced me to take this end piece home and see if I wanted to install it.  I reluctantly did just that.  Now that it's on, I like it!

 And once we worked through all those obstacles, the corners presented ONE more!  One side was higher than the other.  So the corner was not level.  My brilliant hubby came up with an idea of using some thin pieces of metal to ever so gently raise the side that was lower to meet up with the higher side.  Make sense?  Below you can see that it worked out fantastic!

And one last shot because I am in LURVE!  And after all that hard work, I think it was worth it!

So what do you think?

Kitchen {Sneak Peek!}

We are still working to get new counter tops installed in the kitchen.  Here is a sneak peek:

We recently installed the desk area and plan to install the rest very very soon!  So stay tuned for the total transformation :o)

Kitchen Countertop Options

So we painted the kitchen cabinets. 

Next up...do something with the counter tops!  White on white is not appealing to me.  I saw a great post on how to paint your countertops after the weekend wrap up at Tatertots and Jello!  I mentioned it to hubby and he gave me a no go on it.  He is not interesting in opening a paint can for a while.  LOL!  But it is a fabulous idea if you have time and are that talented!  We are not sure if we are staying or selling our home right now.  So updating with the beautiful granite countertops is not an option.  But, I will take a formica type that LOOKS like granite.  I've been out getting a few samples and have one more place to shop.  BUT, so far here are our options : 

I do want a black based print.  I have had option 1 in a prior home and I liked it.  The cabinets there were light stained wood though and not white.  I worry about option 3 having to much of the brown/peach tone.  So right now, I am leaning toward option 2 . What do you think?  Give it to me, good or bad!  I want to know your thoughts.  :o)  I still have another shop to go by to check out samples.  At this point my hubby and stepdad are planning to do the install.  That said, hubby has started this semester of college and is now in his engineering classes.  So once we decide we will have to find a weekend they are both free =)

Light and Bright!

We are finished painting kitchen cabinets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!  So I thought I'd show you how much brighter our kitchen looks =)  Before we had the builder grade cherry finish cabinets. 

From the above picture you can not tell how damaged the cabinets are close up.  So here are a few of those shots as well:

This first pic is the absolute worst.  Believe it or not, if I kept it oiled up with some Murphey's Oil you couldn't tell a thing!

And here is another:

And the last one shows some sun damage:

Now for the lighter, brighter version!  I tried to get some shots over the weekend when I could get some natural light.  I had a model jump in this photo shoot.  Don't mind her.  To her momma, she only adds to the beauty;-)

Proof, I DO clean my kitchen!  ;-)

So let's recap: 

BEFORE...Dark, Scratched up, Dreary

AFTER:  Light, Bright, Cheery!

Don't mind the prints on the fridge.  I have 2 little ones who LOVE to make a mess.  LOL!

So compared to the dark cherry wood that ALWAYS needed a good slop of Murpheys Oil.  These are MUCH better!  =)  Next up is replacing countertops and maybe the kitchen sink.  Don't miss the next post on the cabinets.  I need some help picking out coutnertops!  =)

So what do you think so far??

*** I will be linking up with the parties on my side bar!  Check them out. Always good stuff there!***

Flourish: Cabinet Style!

Hubby and I have been discussing adding some flair to the cabinets in various ways.  My first idea was to use the beadboard wallpaper inside the frame of each cabinet.  I was rolling with that idea until it got down to the knitty gritty.  I got skeerd!  I like the look of the bead board cabinets but I was concerned that:

(1) it would get old to me very fast

(2) it would be to country for my taste

(3) it would seriously date the house

(4) we'd limit "buyers" to our home when selling

So I opted out of that one.  I was actually thinking of putting some scrolly woodwork on a blank horizontal board just underneath the kitchen sink.  About that time Hubby suggested we add some wood work to the LARGE blank slate ABOVE the sink.  I had not told him I was thinking of this already so he is claiming fully that this WAS his idea.  And since this is the idea we went with and he's doing a lot of work here, then we'll say it's HIS!  =)  Once we got the area above the sink sanded, primed, and painted I set off to Lowe's to find the little gem we'd add.  I searched and searched until I found this:

I had been looking at some cheaper versions for around $7, but I knew that this was the one I wanted.  And really $25-ish was not a bad price to add some detail to a boring kitchen.  Hubby painted it and after some careful measurements he glued it up!

So here is the before (with the new paint):

And here is the area above the sink after the addition:

And here it is upclose just so you can see how much it really does stand out and make the space a little less boring:

We are pleased with the progress so far!  Next week I hope to post the entire cabinets painted!  Then we will be in for updating the sink and countertops soon!  =)  What do you think?  I've thought of using some stain or glaze just on this piece to make it stand out more.  But I'm not sure if I want to sand and glaze every cabinet.  Would it look weird just to glaze this piece or is it ok as is?  I'm undecided and would love to hear your opinion!  Let me know your thoughts!

 

Kitchen Hardware Make-Over

So hubs and I are in the process of doing this whole paint the kitchen cabinets thing. Which of course turned into, we need new hardware. Amongst the other obvious items that dated our kitchen (sink, counter tops, ahem...it's ALL the age of the house). I knew that I had thought of just replacing hardware at one point UNTIL I found out how much it was going to cost me. Then I ran across so many posts in blog land on ORB! I decided to try it out on the handles and hinges. If it was an Epic Fail then I'd just splurge on the new hardware. If not then I'd just saved myself LOADS of Moolah! Turns out...IT WORKED! =) For the cost of a couple of cans of ORB (around $7 each!) I will have all the hardware/hinges/screws painted in a more updated color.

Once I removed all the hardware I degreased it.  Next I sanded it with an extra fine grit sanding block.  I typically buy the 3M sanding block if it is available. 

Here is the before and after picture of the beautiful brass pulls we had:

Next I placed it on some cardboard outside and sprayed, let dry, repeat, flip, spray, dry, repeat...until I was happy with the result.  So here are the phases of transition that the hardware went through: 

And up next is a small sneak peak at the hardware installed on some freshly painted cabinets.  =) 

It's looking better each day!  I am very happy with how the project is turning out. 

We are making progress each day.  Still have a few painting items left.  After that it's kitchen sink and counter top shopping! =)  I am still undecided on glazing.  I have seen cabinets slightly sanded and glazed and they are so lovely.  However, hubs is starting back to school next week and I am  not sure how much time we will have to devote to the project after that.  You know those two little girls of ours do demand and deserve our attention ;-)  I know I will be happy with just the updates we are planning to finish now.  I might save the glaze for another day or not.  ;-) 
I have misplaced one of my memory cards that has the before pics I snapped ...BUT for an idea of the cabinets (color and condition) before here is a quick picture I snapped before vacation:

Ignore the mess.  We are kinda in the middle of a remodel, LOL!  I plan to find that memory card and use those pictures in the final post of the kitchen make over.  But for now, you get the idea, right? 
 So what do you all think?
On a side note when I leave for work it's dark outside...when I get home from work it's dark outside.  So not the greatest pictures but the best I can do under the circumstances of no natural light. 

Christmas Gift for Teachers

I've been SUPER busy lately!  There have been five different crafts I've been working on getting done.  I first made ornaments for all our teachers at daycare.  I said before, at some time all those teachers are doing something for my kids.  But, their individual teachers are with them the most.  So I wanted to do a little something extra for them.  I saw this post over at Shanty2Chic and thought they were SUPER cute.  I thought I'd give them a try.  Princess has two teachers and Cupcake has one so currently I have three finished frames.  I have several more to make for Christmas gifts and I like them so well that I want one!  Ha, ha!  If you want a tutorial on how to, please visit Shanty2Chic, those girls are awesome! 

Here are the different positions/colors/embellishments:

For this one I used Heirloom White and the Fleur de Lis embellishment and it's positioned horizontally. 

For this one I used just what Shanty2Chic did!  Scrolly embellishment, canyon black paint, and vertical alignment for the frame.

 My sweet hubby cut my 2x8x8 for me and drilled the holes to put in the finial for the topper. I did all the assembly, painting, and distressing. You probably notice I did embellish a couple of them with something different than the swirly they used. I thought the Fleur de Lis was cute as could be and was dying to try it on something. =)  And a few more shots with these cute frames holding pictures. 

(Yes, that's our family Christmas card.  I might put it in some frames I'm giving as gifts to family =))

I have to admit, I fell in love with the black vertical frame from the original post by the Shanty sisters.  But after making them I think I am going to have to have TWO.  One in Heirloom white that will be vertical and sit on my hearth and a second black horizontal for the entry way table. =)  I may have to wait until after Christmas to make mine.  Why you ask?  Because we have a BIG home improvement project going on!  We've been busy doing this:

I know you are thinking, why in the world did she start refinishing her kitchen cabinets during Christmas, while she has been a crafting maniac!  Yep, I'm thinking it 2!  BUT, my company is changing it's vacation policy and it's now use all you have this year or lose it.  So I was off work Friday and will be off work again next Friday.  Hubby was off today as well so he helped.  Next week I might have to enlist the help of my brother.  It's a big job to sand, prime, paint, paint, and paint again!  Ha!  We did manage to finish the desk area today.  We decided to take it in phases as we were able.  I think that was a great idea, thanks to my fab hubby!  =)  Anyway, that is a sneak peak on our cabinet project.  You will have to check back to see the follow up!  I won't post on it again until I can show you either progress or finished project! 

So, what all have you been working on this holiday season?  Are you super busy like us?  Were any of you crazy enough to start to refinish cabinets?  We gotta get a move on because we are going on a long road trip soon! 

*** Linking this up to some of my fav parties on the sidebar this week!  Check them out! ***

Edited to add: Linked up to CSI challenge for The color White =)